Motion picture projector for use with plural types of film-containing magazine

ABSTRACT

The housing of a motion picture projector has a platform which is movable between first and second positions to thereby respectively support from below magazines of a first type with floating reels and magazines of a second type with centered reels. The housing further supports a spindle which is movable to a first position to thereby center the reel of a magazine of the first type in the operative position of such magazine, and to a second position in which it is out of the way of a magazine of the second type when such magazine dwells in its operative position. The housing also supports stationary and movable engaging elements which can engage complementary elements on the magazines to locate and/or hold such magazines in their operative positions. A displacing lever can move the platform and the spindle, as well as the movable enegaging elements, so that the engaging elements for magazines of the second type are out of the way when the platform can support a magazine of the first type, and vice versa. The displacing lever can also move a friction wheel which serves to rotate the reels in magazines of the second type.

ilschetal.

l l 3,744,88 [451 July 10,1973

[54] MOTlON PICTURE PROJECTOR FOR USE WITH PLURAL TYPES OFFILM-CONTAINING MAGAZINE [76] Inventors: Herbert Wilsch; Johann Zanner,Jr.,

both of Unterhaching, Germany [22] Filed: Feb. 23, 1972 [21] Appl. N0.:228,656

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 27, 1971 Germany P 21 09465.5

[52] US. Cl. 352/72, 242/197 [51] Int. Cl. G03b 23/02 [58] Field ofSearch 352/72, 73; 242/197,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,656,703 4/1972Vockenhuber 1. 242/197 Primary Examiner-J. D. Miller AssistantExaminer-Harvey Fendelman Attorney-Michael S. Striker [5 7] ABSTRACT Thehousing of a motion picture projector has a platform which is movablebetween first and second positions to thereby respectively support frombelow magazines of a first type with floating reels and magazines of asecond type with centered reels. The housing further supports a spindlewhich is movable to a first position to thereby center the reel of amagazine of the first type in the operative position of such magazine,and to a second position in which it is out of the way of a magazine ofthe second type when such magazine dwells in its operative position. Thehousing also supports stationary and movable engaging elements which canengage complementary elements on the magazines to locate and/or holdsuch magazines in their operative positions. A displacing lever can movethe platform and the spindle, as well as the movable enegaging elements,so that the engaging elements for magazines of the second type are outof the way when the platform can support a magazine of the first type,and vice versa. The displacing lever can also move a friction wheelwhich serves to rotate the reels in magazines of the second type.

13 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure MOTION PICTURE PROJECTOR FOR USE WITH PLURALTYPES OF FILM-CONTAINING MAGAZINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thepresent invention relates to improvements in cinematographic apparatusin general, and more particularly to improvements in motion pictureprojectors. Still more particularly, the invention relates toimprovements in motion picture projectors which can be utilized withplural types of film-containing cassettes or analogous film magazines.

Certain types of film-containing magazines employ so-called floating oruncentered reels which must be centered when the magazine is properlymounted in or on the housing of the motion picture projector. Certainother types of film-containing magazines employ centered reels whichneed not be supported by a spindle or the like when the magazine isproperly mounted in or on the housing of the projector. If a motionpicture projector is designed to use different types of magazines, it isdesirable to select the operative positions of different magazine typesin such a way that such positions overlap, at least in part. This isnecessary and desirable in order to insure that various auxiliarycomponents of the projector can be used in connection with magazines ofdifferent types. For example, it is highly desirable to mount therelatively complex film threading mechanism which serves to withdrawfilm from an inserted magazine in such a way that the threadingmechanism can be used for the withdrawal of film from magazines withfloating or centered reels. The threading mechanism introduces theleader of the withdrawn film into a film path along which the leader isadvanced toward and is thereupon connected to the core of a takeup reel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide anovel and improved motion picture projector which can be used withplural types of film-containing magazines and which can insure accurateand reproducible mounting of each magazine type.

Another object of the invention is to provide the motion pictureprojector with novel and improved engaging means which can properlylocate and/or hold different types of magazines in requisite positionsfor withdrawal of film from their interior.

A further object of the invention is to provide a motion pictureprojector wherein a particular magazine type can be placed to itsoperative position only when the parts or components which are not usedin connection with such magazine type are moved away from their normaloperative positions.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a motion pictureprojector wherein a first magazine type can be removed and replaced witha magazine of a second type with little loss in time.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a motion pictureprojector which can accept several types of film-containing magazines aswell as a plurality of differently dimensioned magazines of each type.

The invention is embodied in a cinematographic apparatus for use with atleast one first type of film magazines with uncentered reels and atleast one second type of film magazines with centered reels,particularly in a motion picture projector. The apparatus comprises ahousing and a rotary spindle which is movable to at least one firstposition wherein it centers the reel of a magazine of the first typewhen such magazine is maintained in a first predetermined operativeposition relative to the housing. The spindle is further movable to aleast one second position in which it allows the placing of a magazineof the second type to a second predetermined operative position relativeto the housing.

The apparatus further preferably comprises displacing means which mayassume the form of a lever and is supported by the housing. Thedisplacing means is movable with reference to the housing to therebymove the spindle between its first and second positions. The operativeposition of a magazine of the first type preferably at least partiallycoincides with the operative position of a magazine of the second type,and the spindle is located without the region of coincidence between thefirst and second operative positions when the spindle assumes its secondposition.

The apparatus further comprises drive means which is supported by thehousing and is movable to and from a driving position in which the drivemeans can rotate the reel of at least one of the magazine types in theoperative position of such magazine. The apparatus also comprises meansfor moving the drive means to such driving position in response tomovement of the spindle to that position in which the spindle permitsthe placing of the magazine of the one type to its operative position.In accordance with another feature of the invention, the apparatusfurther comprises first and second engaging means. At least a portion ofeach such engaging means is respectively movable to and from an engagingposition in response to movement of the spindle to its first and secondpositions. Each magazine of the first type has first complementaryengaging means cooperating with the first engaging means of theapparatus in the operative position of such magazine and in the firstposition of the spindle to locate and/or hold the magazine in the firstoperative position. Each magazine of the second type has secondcomplementary engaging means which cooperate with the second engagingmeans of the apparatus in the operative position of such magazine and inthe second position of the spindle to locate and/or hold the magazine inthe second operative position.

The novel features which are considered as charac teristic of theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theimproved motion picture projector itself, however, both as to itsconstruction and its mode of operation, together with additionalfeatures and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal ofthe following detailed description of certain specific embodiments withreference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The single FIGURE is a fragmentaryperspective view of a motion picture projector which embodies theinvention, further showing a magazine of the first type and a magazineof the second type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The improved motion pictureprojector comprises a housing which includes a wall 1. The projector canbe used with two types of film-containing magazines or cassettes,namely, with magazines of the type having floating or uncenteredfilm-collecting reels and with magazines with centered film-collectingreels. A magazine A with an uncentered or floating reel A is shown infront of the housing wall 1 in an orientation parallel to that in whichthe magazine A dwells in its operative position relative to theprojector housing. The magazine A further comprises a preferably plasticcasing All which confines the reel A5 and is provided with tworegistering circular openings A2 (only one can be seen) which expose thecore of the reel A5 and the central aperture ASa of the core. The bottompanel A3 of the magazine A has a narrow exposed face provided with anelongated slot A4 through which the motion picture film can be withdrawnfrom the casing A1 to be introduced into the film path defined by theprojector for transport toward the takeup reel, not shown. The casingAll comprises a substantially rectangular lower portion and asubstantially semicircular upper portion. When the magazine A dwells inits operative position relative to the wall 1 of the housing of themotion picture projector, the central aperture ASa of the core formingpart of the floating reel A5 receives a rotary spindle 2 which ismovably mounted in the housing of the projector. The spindle 2 has amotion transmitting projection 2a which can enter a matching recess inthe core of the reel A5 so that the reel A5 can be rotated by thespindle 2 in at least one direction, namely, in a direction to collectthe film on the reel A5. The drive means for rotating the spindle 2 insuch direction comprises a shaft 7 which is coaxial with the spindle, apulley 6 which is fixed to the shaft 7 and an endless belt 5 which isdriven by a second pulley, not shown, receiving motion from theprojector motor. The direction in which the magazine A should be movedin order to introduce the spindle 2 into the aperture A521 is indicatedby the arrow X.

The magazine B of the second type comprises a preferably plastic casingB1 which substantially confines a centered reel B8. The casing B1 issubstantially symmetrical with reference to the axis of rotation of thereel B8. The narrow bottom wall B2 of the casing B1 is provided with anelongated substantially centrally located slot B3 through which the filmcan be withdrawn for introduction into the aforementioned film pathdefined by the motion picture projector. A side wall B4 of the magazinecasing B1 is provided with a window B5 which affords access to one orboth flanges of the reel B8 and/or to the roll of convoluted film on thecore between such flanges. The purpose of the window B5 is to enable adrive means of the projector to enter the casing B1 so as to rotate thereel B8 in a direction to collect the film subsequent to transport ofthe film frames past the projection gate and/or to cause the reel B8 torotate in a to expel the leader of motion picture film through the slotB3 in the bottom wall B2 of the casing B1. The just mentioned drivemeans for the reel B8 includes a friction wheel 24 which is shown in thelower left-hand portion of the drawing.

The wall 1 of the projector housing is provided with an arcuate slot lawherein the spindle 2 is movable between a plurality of positionsincluding a first end position A" and a second end position B". Thespindle 2 is mounted on is merely movable by a displacing lever 3 whichis pivotable in the housing of the motion picture projector, as at 4,and performs several additional functions.

The projector further comprises a plurality of stationary and movableengaging members or elements which serve to properly locate and/or holdor lock the selected magazine A or B in its operative position relativeto the wall 1. The arrangement is such that the engaging means whichserve to properly locate and/or hold the magazine A can be retracted orwithdrawn. When the user whishes to place the magazine B to theoperative position, and that the engaging means for the magazine B canbe retracted or withdrawn when the user wishes to place the magazine Ato its operative position. The two engaging means comprise a commonengaging member in the form of a platform 8 which is movable between afirst position A which is indicated by solid lines and a second orraised position B which is indicated by phantom lines. The platform 8 ismovable between the positions A and B relative to the housingof themotion picture projector and is provided with an elongated vertical slot8a for reception of stationary guide pins 9a, 9b.

The engaging means for the magazine A further comprises a plate-likestationary engaging member it) which is mounted at the front side of thewall 1 and has vertically extending marginal portions 10a which cancooperate with elongated vertical strips A6 of the magazine A when thelatter dwells in its operative position. The movable engaging means forthe cassette or magazine A comprises a pair of claws 14 which can be received in complementary engaging means in the form of sockets orrecesses A7 provided in the casing Al.

The movable engaging means for the magazine B comprises two projectionsor teeth 11 which are provided on a carrier 13 pivotably mounted in thehousing of the motion picture projector, as at 12. The carrier 13 bepivoted from the illustrated retracted or idle position to a oroperative position whereby the projections 11 extend through and beyondopenings 23 provided therefor in the platform 8. The projections 11 thenextend into complementary engaging means in the form of sockets B6provided in the narrow bottom wall B2 of the casing Bl when the magazineB dwells in its operative position adjacent to the wall 1 of the housingof the motion picture projector. The movable engaging means for thecasing B1 of the magazine B further comprises a pair of claws 15 whichare movably mounted in the housing of the projector and can be receivedin complementary engaging means in the form of recesses B7 provided inone major panel of the casing B1. The claws 14 or 15 extend forwardlythrough slots llc provided therefor in the wall ii. The claws 14 and T5are pivotable in the housing about the axes of shafts 16 and are biasedby helical springs 17 each of which is attached to a stationary post 18of the housing. The arrangement is such that the claws T4 areautomatically extended beyond the wall 1 when the projector is ready toreceive and retain a magazine A, and that the claws 15 are automaticallyextended beyond the wall 1 when the projector is ready to receive andretain a magazine B.

The central portion of the platform 8 is provided with an elongated slot19 through which the film can be transported when the magazine A or Bdwells in its operative position. Thus, the slot 19 registers with theslot Ad when the magazine A is adjacent to the exposed side of the wall1, and the slot 19 registeres with the slot B3 when the magazine B isheld and located in its operative position. The exact details of themechanism which can withdraw the leader of motion picture film from amagazine A or B form no part of the present invention. The drawingmerely shows a deflector 20 which can be introduced through the slot 19of the platform 8 and through the slot A4 or B3 so as to engage theoutermost convolution of film on the reel A5 or B8 while the respectivereel rotates in a direction to pay out the film. This causes the leaderof motion picture film to enter the aforementioned film path and toadvance toward the core of the takeup reel in the housing of the motionpicture projector.

The operation is as follows The drawing illustrates the parts of themotion picture projector in positions they assume when the projector isready to receive, locate and hold a magazine A of the first type. Thus,the spindle 2 dwells in its first end position A" so that, when themagazine A is moved sideways in the direction indicated by the arrow X,the spindle penetrates through the aperture A5a of the uncenteredorfloating reel A5 and its motion transmitting projection 20 enters a slotor notch of the core so as to be in proper motion transmitting ordriving engagement with the reel A5. The platform 8 dwells in its lowerposition A in which it can support from below the narrow bottom panel A3of the casing A1. The claws are retracted behind the respective slots 1cbut the claws 14 extend through such slots and beyond the exposed sideof the wall 1 so that they can snap into the recesses A7 of the casingAl when the latter is advanced to a position in which the strips A6engage the marginal portions 104 of the stationary engaging mem ber 10on the wall 1. It will be noted that, when the magazine A dwells in itsoperative position, the casing A1 is located and oriented as well asheld by stationary engaging means including the member 10 and by movableengaging means including the platform 8 and the two claws 14. Thisinsures that the slot A4 of the casing A1 is in proper register with theslot 19 of the platform 8 so that, when the deflector 20 is lifted inorder to move its tip into engagement with the outermost convolution offilm on the core of the reel A5, and the reel A5 is rotated in adirection to pay out the film, the leader of the film will automaticallyadvance into the aforementioned film path.

in order to permit movement of the magazine B to the operative positionrelative to the wall 1, the user of the projector must pivot thedisplacing lever 3 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in thedrawing, so that the axis of the spindle 2 travels along an arcuate pathindicated by a phantom line Y. The spindle 2 comes to rest in the endposition B" in which it is out of the way of the casing B1. The positionB" of the spindle 2 is selected in such a way that the spindle is thenlocated without the region of coincidence between the operativepositions of the casings Al and B1. The carrier 13 is biased by ahelical spring 22 which is attached to a post 21 in the housing of themotion picture projector. This carrier has a projection or lobe 13awhich bears against the underside of the platform 8 and tends to movethe platform to the position B. The platform 8 has an upwardly extendingarm 8d which abuts against a convex cam face 3a of the displacing lever3. When the displacing lever 3 has been pivoted to a position in whichthe spindle 2 assumes the end position B", its cam face 30 allows thearm 8d, and hence the entire platform 8, to rise to the position B. Insuch position, the platform 8 can properly support the narrow bottomwall B2 of the magazine B. The lobe 13a of the carrier 13 follows theupward movement of the platform 8 and its teeth 11 extend through theopenings 23 so as to enter the sockets B6 in the bottom wall B2 providedthat the casing Bl dwells in its operative position. The platform 8 hastwo lugs 8b which slide along inclined cam faces 14a of the claws 14while the platform moves from the position A to the position B. Thiscauses the claws 14 to move into the housing of the motion pictureprojector. At the same time, the lugs 8b move relative to the cam faces15a of the claws 15 to such positions that the hooked end portions ofthe claws 15 can extend forwardly beyond the slots 10 of the wall 1 andsnap into the recesses B7 of the casing B1.

The aforementioned friction wheel 24 of the drive means for the reel B8is mounted on an arm 25 which is pivotable on a stationary shaft 26 inthe housing of the motion picture projector. The drawing shows thefriction wheel 24 in its idle or retracted position. The arm 25 has afollower 25a which is received in a slot of the platform 8. When theplatform moves from the position A to the position B, its slot 80 causesthe follower 25a to pivot the arm 25 in a clockwise direction, as viewedin the drawing, so that the friction wheel 24 moves toward and into thewindow B5 in the side wall B4 of the casing B1. The platform 8 has acutout 27 through which the friction wheel 24 can pass on its way towardthe window B5.

It will be seen that, once the magazine A is removed from its operativeposition in a direction counter to that' indicated by the arrow X, andthe displacing lever 3 is pivoted to move the spindle 2 to the positionB", the magazine B can be moved to the operative position.

The movement of the spindle 2 along the path Y causes the teeth 11 topenetrate into the sockets B6 and the claws 15 to penetrate into therecesses B7 of the casing B1. The magazine B is then properly locatedand held in its operative position, and the friction wheel 24 can engageone or both flanges of the reel B8 or the outermost convolution ofmotion picture film between such flanges. When the presentation ofimages on the film which is stored in the casing B1 is completed, themovement of the friction wheel 24 into the window B5 is completed sothat this friction wheel can actually engage the reel B8 or the filmthereon and rotates the reel in a direction to collect the film. Themeans for moving the friction wheel 24 all the way into the window B5and for starting the motor which rotates the friction wheel 24 in adirection to cause the reel B8 to collect the film thereon are ofconventional design and are not shown in the drawing.

The spindle 2 is preferably movable to at least one intermediateposition, such as the position A' between the position A2" and B2". Whenthe spindle dwells in the position A', it can penetrate into theaperture Asa in the reel A5 of a magazine which is similar to but largerthan the magazine A. However, the platform 8 can remain in the positionA regardless of whether it must support the narrow bottom wall A3 of theillustrated casing A1 or a larger casing. It is necessary to insurethat, when the spindle 2 dwells in the in terrnediate position A"', itshould be in accurate alignment with the aperture A5a of a larger casingA1.

An important advantage of the improved motion picture projector is thatthe manipulation of a single element, namely, the displacing lever 3,suffices to move the spindle 2 to the desired position as well as tomove all movable elements of the engaging means on the projector topositions in which such engaging elements are either retracted or inengaging positions to cooperate with the complementary engaging elementson the selected magazine. Furthermore, if the spindle 2 is left in theposition A", the operator cannot move the magazine B to its operativeposition. Thus, the operator knows that, in order to properly attach themagazine B, he must manipulate the displacing lever 3 so as to move thespindle 2 out of the position in which it extends into the region ofcoincidence between the operative positions of the magazines A and B.

it is further clear that the improved projector is susceptible of manyadditional modifications without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention. For example, the various engaging elements can bereplaced by other types of engaging elements. Also, the positions of theengaging elements on the projector and the engaging elements on themagazines can be reversed. However, it was found that the arrangementwhich is shown in the drawing is particularly advantageous because themovable engaging elements can be displaced simultaneously with thespindle 2 and platform 8 as well as with the drive means for the reels Aand B8.

The term uncentered or floating reel" is intended to denote a reel whichis to be driven by a spindle inserted through a centrally located holeof the reel. The term centered reel is intended to denote a reel whichis normally driven by a friction wheel or the like which can move intoengagement with the reel through an opening in a wall of the magazine.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, be applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featureswhich fairly constitute essential characteristics of the the generic andspecific aspects of our contribution to the and, therefore, suchadaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within themeaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:

1. In a cinematographic apparatus for use with at least one first typeof film magazines with uncentered reels and at least one second type offilm magazines with centered reels, particularly in a motion pictureprojector, a combination comprising a housing; a rotary spindle movableto at least one first position in which it centers the reel of amagazine of said first type when such magazine is maintained in a firstpredetermined operative position relative to said housing, said spindlebeing further movable to at least one second position in which it allowsthe placing of a magazine of said second type to a second predeterminedoperative position relative to said housing; and first and secondengaging means, at least a portion of each of said first and secondengaging means being respectively movable to and from an engagingposition in response to movement of said spindle to said first andsecond position, each magazine of said first type having firstcomplementary engaging means cooperating with said first engaging meansin the operative position of such magazine and in the first position ofsaid spindle to locate and/or hold the magazine in said first operativeposition, each magazine of said second type having second complementaryengaging means cooperating with said second engaging means in theoperative position of such magazine and in the second position of saidspindle to locate and/or hold the magazine in said second operativeposition.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising displacingmeans supported by said housing, said displacing means being movablewith reference to said housing to thereby move said spindle between saidfirst and second positions, the operative position of a magazine of saidfirst type at least partially coinciding with the operative position ofa magazine of said second type and said spindle being located withoutthe region of such coincidence between said first and second operativepositions in the second position of said spindle.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising drive meanssupported by said housing and movable to and from a driving position inwhich said drive means can rotate the reel of at least one of saidmagazine types in the operative position of such one magazine, and meansfor moving said drive means to said driving position in response tomovement of said spindle to that position in which said spindle permitsthe placing of the magazine of said one type to said operative positionthereof.

4. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising displacingmeans mounted in said housing, said displacing means being movablerelative to said housing to thereby effect movements of said spindle tosaid first and second positions and to respectively effect movements ofsaid portions of said first and second engaging means to and from saidengaging positions thereof.

5. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said first engagingmeans and said first complementary engaging means, as well as saidsecond engaging means and said second complementary engaging meanscomprise male and female portions with said male portions extending intothe female portions in the operative positions of the respectivemagazines.

6. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and secondengaging means comprise a common magazine engaging member whichrespectively dwells in a first and a second position in the first andsecond positions of said spindle.

7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said common engagingmember is a platform which supports a magazine of said first type insaid first position, and a magazine of said second type in said secondposition thereof.

8. A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein each magazine of saidfirst and second type comprises a reelconfining casing having a narrowside face which is supported by said platform in the respectivepositionof said platform and in the operative position of the respectivemagazine.

9. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said common engagingmember is provided with at least one opening and said second engagingmeans comprising a projection which extends through such opening in theengaging position of said second engaging means, said secondcomplementary engaging means comprising socket means receiving saidprojection when a magazine of said second type dwells in the operativeposition thereof.

10. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and secondengaging means comprises claws and said first and second complementaryengaging means comprise recesses for such claws.

11. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising means forrotating said spindle in a direction to collect the film on the reel ina magazine of said first type while such magazine dwells in saidoperative position thereof.

12. A combination as defined in claim 1, further I comprising drivemeans for rotating the reel of a magazine of said second type in theoperative position of such magazine, said drive means comprising afriction wheel and each magazine of said second type having a dle tosaid second position thereof.

i a: a:

1. In a cinematographic apparatus for use with at least one first typeof film magazines with uncentered reels and at least one second type offilm magazines with centered reels, particularly in a motion pictureprojector, a combination comprising a housing; a rotary spindle movableto at least one first position in which it centers the reel of amagazine of said first type when such magazine is maintained in a firstpredetermined operative position relative to said housing, said spindlebeing further movable to at least one second position in which it allowsthe placing of a magazine of said second type to a second predeterminedoperative position relative to said housing; and first and secondengaging means, at least a portion of each of said first and secondengaging means being respectively movable to and from an engagingposition in response to movement of said spindle to said first andsecond position, each magazine of said first type having firstcomplementary engaging means cooperating with said first engaging meansin the operative position of such magazine and in the first position ofsaid spindle to locate and/or hold the magazine in said first operativeposition, each magazine of said second type having second complementaryengaging means cooperating with said second engaging means in theoperative position of such magazine and in the second position of saidspindle to locate and/or hold the magazine in said second operativeposition.
 2. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprisingdisplacing means supported by said housing, said displacing means beingmovable with reference to said housing to thereby move said spindlebetween said first and second positions, the operative position of amagazine of said first type at least partially coinciding with theoperative position of a magazine of said second type and said spindlebeing located without the region of such coincidence between said firstand second operative positions in the second position of said spindle.3. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising drive meanssupported by said housing and movable to and from a driving position inwhich said drive means can rotate the reel of at least one of saidmagazine types in the operative position of such one magazine, and meansfor moving said drive means to said driving position in response tomovement of said spindle to that position in which said spindle permitsthe placing of the magazine of said one type to said operative positionthereof.
 4. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprisingdisplacing means mounted in said housing, said displacing means beingmovable relative to said housing to thereby effect movements of saidspindle to said first and second positions and to respectively effectmovements of said portions of said first and second engaging means toand from said engaging positions thereof.
 5. A combination as defined inclaim 1, wherein said first engaging means and said first complementaryengaging means, as well as said second engaGing means and said secondcomplementary engaging means comprise male and female portions with saidmale portions extending into the female portions in the operativepositions of the respective magazines.
 6. A combination as defined inclaim 1, wherein said first and second engaging means comprise a commonmagazine engaging member which respectively dwells in a first and asecond position in the first and second positions of said spindle.
 7. Acombination as defined in claim 6, wherein said common engaging memberis a platform which supports a magazine of said first type in said firstposition, and a magazine of said second type in said second positionthereof.
 8. A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein each magazineof said first and second type comprises a reel-confining casing having anarrow side face which is supported by said platform in the respectiveposition of said platform and in the operative position of therespective magazine.
 9. A combination as defined in claim 6, whereinsaid common engaging member is provided with at least one opening andsaid second engaging means comprising a projection which extends throughsuch opening in the engaging position of said second engaging means,said second complementary engaging means comprising socket meansreceiving said projection when a magazine of said second type dwells inthe operative position thereof.
 10. A combination as defined in claim 1,wherein said first and second engaging means comprises claws and saidfirst and second complementary engaging means comprise recesses for suchclaws.
 11. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising meansfor rotating said spindle in a direction to collect the film on the reelin a magazine of said first type while such magazine dwells in saidoperative position thereof.
 12. A combination as defined in claim 1,further comprising drive means for rotating the reel of a magazine ofsaid second type in the operative position of such magazine, said drivemeans comprising a friction wheel and each magazine of said second typehaving a reel-confining casing provided with a window through which saidfriction wheel is movable into driving engagement with the reel of amagazine of said second type in the operative position of such magazine,said friction wheel being arranged to rotate the reel which is driventhereby in a direction to collect the film.
 13. A combination as definedin claim 12, further comprising means for moving said friction wheeltoward driving engagement with the reel of a magazine of said secondtype in response to movement of said spindle to said second positionthereof.